Poster Research - Atonement

Poster Research - Atonement

Analysis

The names of the actors do appear in this film's poster. They are rather prominent and are composed just above the title justified to create a sense of formality. The images of actors within this film also appear on the poster, both of whom are in character within a setting from the film. Main text is kept away from the subject of the images however, dead space is filled with the text. The dead space within the images is setting and background of the photograph which is primarily out of focus due to the shallow depth of field. The main graphics of the poster consists of two main images of which both show the characters. Within this short film there are references to another film and a book, but there is no website. Cultural references and a tagline are both used within the poster showing context of the war and generating an enigma in the spectators minds. Surprisingly, there are no critics praise for this film, neither words or ratings which could suggest that the film did not receive outstanding or pleasing reviews. Looking at the title on the poster, it is larger than any other text on the poster. The font style and colour does reflect that of the film itself which has a semantic field of war, therefore the typewriter text and smudged effect reflects the genre. There is a billing block at the bottom of the poster in the centre which is generic of that of an ordinary film poster. Although there is no drawn imagery on the poster, the image of the characters are placed over a photographic setting. The poster does reveal an age certification and provides a date of release though these are both understated and discrete.

Media Language

• Close ups are used for photography of both characters.
• The photographs are both mid angles.
• The colouring is saturated and very bright, the lighting is also high-key giving an overall vibrant appearance.
• Setting, props and decor are all kept very minimalistic within the poster and create enigma.
• The costume, hair and make-up are very old-fashioned and considered iconographic of a film of the war genre.

Representation

• The close up shots at mid angle used create a sort of symmetry between the characters as well as creating an intimacy between both characters and spectators.
• The colouring and lighting used suggests a light and up-beat theme to the film, subverting from the evident darkness of a film relating to war. The grey line between the characters in which the title is positioned, however, may act as a representation of darkness and dull times between them.
• Settings, props and decor used create the representation of a time where chintzy items are minimal, perhaps as they are rationed. This is not only enigmatic but also acts as an aid of war portrayal.
• The costume, hair and make-up used within the poster create the representation of the male being at war and the female perhaps being rather middle to upper class. The exact stereotype of a partnership who were around within the years of the law.

Audience

Looking at the poster as a whole, one could assume that the poster is aimed at a demographic of middle class around the ages of 25-40. The gender demographic is difficult to consider as the war theme targets males, though the romance area targets females. The demographic would have a specialist knowledge of the war in order to get an understanding of the film to the highest extent.

Narrative

The narrative within the poster suggests very little, it is suggested that the film takes on a linear narrative. The narrative used also acts as an enigma code as well as an action code in many ways. One could assume that the poster conveys the film to repetitive of that of similar film story and plots.

Genre

The genre can usually be revealed rather easily by the poster of a film. This poster reveals the film to be a hybrid of perhaps action, drama and romance genres. Rick Altman's theory of semantic and syntactic codes can be used cleverly within the poster in terms of semantic codes. The semantics of the bright lighting and colour as well as other mise en scene - such as facial expression, costume, etc. - suggest the genres of the film.